It all began online – but members of a community group have taken their hopes and dreams into the real world as they seek to put pride back into their area.

Middleport Matters began on Facebook in 2015, before, a few months later, a group of like-minded people formed a committee to act on some of the things they had been talking about.

Since then the group has gone from strength to strength, as it embarked on a mission to improve the area in any way possible.

They have staged Christmas parties as a means of encouraging people to share what they would like to see happen and the group then does what it can to turn it into a reality.

Middleport Matters have been nominated for The Sentinel's Hero Awards

Their hard work regularly sees members of Middleport Matters out and about improving the area, making parks safer and brightening up the canal walks. And for all of that hard work the group has now been put forward for The Sentinel’s Our Heroes Awards in the Community Group of the Year category.

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“The canal project was a year in the making and was a lot more than just a litter pick, we had more than 100 different volunteers, businesses and school help.

“We found the money to demolish and rebuild a wall and put up fences and tidied it all up.

“We utilise skill sets and everyone is empowered to have their say and take care of the area.

“It is fantastic to be recognised as a group. This is for everybody that has helped in any small way, Middleport Matters is not just one person or a committee of people – it is everyone that has helped in any way that they can.”